Le Mans Classic 2008

René Arnoux / Shinji NakanoTwo great racingdrivers in the Richard Mille team

The Watch Quote™ - May 22nd, 2008

As in previous years, Richard Mille is again designated official timekeeper of the forthcoming Le Mans Classic races to be held on the 11th, 12th and 13th of July. However for the 2008 edition there is something new in store for us !

Sharing the wheel of the Richard Mille’s Lola in the current Le Mans Classic will be two great names: Rene Arnoux and Shinji Nakano.

René Arnoux, entered the world of racing with the Winfield racing school at Magny-Cours where he won the prestigious Volant Shell competition. Later in 1978, he graduated to F1 with Tico Martini's Cosworth-engined F1 car and gained promotion to the Renault ranks the following year. By 1980, René had become a Grand Prix winner with victories both in Brazil and South Africa. Then, he won the Grand Prix of France and Italy in 1982 and, in 1983, 3 Grand Prix -Netherlands, Germany and Canada-. During his career, he has totaled 162 races, 18 pole positions, 22 podiums and 7 Grand Prix victories.

At age 16, Shinji Nakano becomes the first Japanese-born driver and the youngest driver to win the International Kart GP. In 1997, he entered Formula 1 with the Prost-Honda team and scored impressive points both in the Canadian and Hungarian Grand Prix. In 2000, Shinji Nakano moved to the United States and broadened his activities to CART category. In 2003, he competed in the Indianapolis 500 and in 2005, the Le Mans 24 Hours. Currently, Shinji Nakano is competing in the endurance categories in Japan as well as in Europe.

With Richard Mille’s Lola in the capable hands of these two gifted drivers, the Le Mans Classic 2008 will be undoubtedly an exciting event for everyone concerned, a tightly fought competition between all the drivers and this rare and exceptional event is guaranteed to delight everyone.